Life Span
Perennial
Annual and Perennial
Type
Shrub
Fruit
Origin
Madagascar
Mexico, Central America
Types
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Male Papaya Tree, Female Papaya Tree, hermaphrodite Tree
Number of Varieties
820
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
tropical environments, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-1310-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
-
12-10
Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 23, 24
H1, H2, 21, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
90.00 cm457.20 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm7.62 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Green, Orange, Light Yellow
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Gray Green
Light Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Irregular
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand, Well drained
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Do not water frequently, Requires watering in the growing season
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove shoots, Remove short branches, Remove short twigs, Requires little pruning
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
14-14-14 Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flowers
✔
✘
✔
✘
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Ants, Bees, Hummingbirds
Allergy
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Asthma, breathing problems, Itchiness, Itchy eyes, Red eyes, Runny nose, sneezing, Sore eyes, Swelling, Watery eyes, wheezing
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
Skin Problems
Good for skin, Good for skin and hair, Improve hair condition, Making cosmetics
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Asthma, Bone strength, Cancer, Diabetes, Digestion problems, Heart problems, Inflammation, Skin Disorders
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root
Fruits, Seeds
Other Uses
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Cosmetics, Making Shampoo, Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Tropical
Botanical Name
Euphorbia tithymaloides
CARICA papaya
Common Name
Devil's Backbone
Papaya
In Hindi
Devil's Backbone
पपीता
In German
Devil's Backbone
Papaya
In French
Backbone du Diable
Papaye
In Spanish
El espinazo del diablo
Papaya
In Greek
Devil's Backbone
Παπάγια
In Portuguese
Espinha do Diabo
Mamão
In Polish
Kręgosłup diabła
Papaja
In Latin
Narum diaboli
Papaya
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malpighiales
Brassicales
Family
Crassulaceae
Caricaceae
Genus
Euphorbia
Carica
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Euphorbieae
-
Subfamily
Euphorbioideae
-
Number of Species
200030
1
27800
👆🏻